SOE announces that Bullet Run has emerged from the beta phase, and this free-to-play first-person shooter is now officially live:

Sony Online Entertainment LLC (SOE) today announced that Bullet Run has completed open beta testing and is now officially live for the PC. Developed by ACONY Games, Bullet Run is a new free-to-play first-person shooter (FPS) that brings together the elements of the FPS genre with unique levels of immersion and character progression; AAA gunplay coupled with action-oriented twitch gameplay and special in-game abilities provides players with a more in-depth tactical gaming experience.

"We are excited to finally bring this highly-anticipated game to our players," said Christopher Sturr, executive director of business development and corporate strategy, Sony Online Entertainment. "Bullet Run is a proof point that our goal at SOE continues to be to bring top-tier quality interactive experiences to players of all ages through our diverse portfolio of free-to-play online games. We are confident players will enjoy Bullet Run's high energy persistent combat experience and can't wait to hear their feedback."

Jan-Eric Lauble, creative director at ACONY Games, added, "We have watched this game grow from an idea to a complete experience. The level of detail we put in the game -- from the competitive gunplay features to the unique storyline -- will offer players an experience they have yet to find in the FPS world. We are all incredibly proud of the work the team has done and look forward to offering players more options and exciting new features in regular updates to the game going forward."

In Bullet Run, players are pit against each other in a reality TV show setting where performance is everything -- simply gaining the kill does not win your character fame. Style and attitude, combined with a hair trigger and cat-like reflexes, will bring players, also known as "Contestants," the fame they crave. Featuring six Synth Arenas -- from oilrigs to abandoned shanty towns -- the game focuses on individual character and weapon advancement and progression. Through their showmanship, players will have the opportunity to unlock and/or purchase new weapons, weapon modifications and attachments, wardrobe items, accessories, and custom weapon decals -- all contributing to thousands of possible combinations for customization of their characters.

KEY FEATURES:

FPS Meets Free-To-Play - Free for download for the PC. Additional content is available for purchase in the in-game marketplace.

Reality TV Game Show Storyline - Players will have to fight for stardom or settle for 15 minutes of fame. Cameras and commentators capture all the intense FPS action, where style and showmanship earn "Heat" and fame on the road to stardom.

Eight Kill Skills - Unique abilities can be trained and unleashed during combat. Each brings in cutting-edge technology for players to use in their match and are unlocked as contestants earn Heat. These include damage heals, berserker mode, enemy-trapping robots, aerial ammo attacks, devastating mini-gun action and more.

Active Reload - Bullet Run moves fast, and your guns need to load even faster. The game offers an Active Reload feature. When you hit 'reload,' a circular interface appears. If you hit it just right, your weapon loads much faster. But be precise, if you don't hit the mark, your gun will jam.

Six Killer Arenas - A thrilling assortment of game maps for players to explore and dominate including industrial landscapes, desert wastelands, and more.

Fast-Paced Multiplayer Combat - Up to 20 contestants can battle on each episode in one of two game modes: Team Deathmatch or Dominion.

Character Stylization - Players have access to hundreds of 'vanity' items to customize their characters and style, earning boosts and experience points in the in-game Style system.

Weapon of Choice - Thousands of potential combinations per weapon from silencers and muzzle brakes to scopes, stocks and more allow players to fine-tune their weapon to match their game play preferences. Additionally, weapons decals and paintjobs will provide players true personalization.

Bring on the Heat - In-game progression is rewarded through exciting play; the more Heat, the more fans. The more fans, the more players level up their Fame. Taunt, slay and humiliate opponents, increasing Heat and unlocking new skills and weapons.
Character Progression - Gain access to unique items and weapons as your character advances to new levels of fame (experience); you can also earn in-game currency to help improve and learn new skills.

Killer Community - Add friends, join them in matches, and chat privately via the ComCenter.
Additional Features - Nemesis System to identify the contestant constantly blocking your path to stardom; Taunt System with custom animations to help pump up the crowd; Quickplay option; and more.

You know, I'm all for those who want to put out a game that they want to play and want others to enjoy, but I have to wonder why in the world anyone (especially SOE) would waste time and resources for something that clearly is not going to 'light the market on fire'. All the little games by the 'little guys' out there that could use a nice financial 'shot in the arm', just enough for them to bring their dream to completion (look on KickStarter for instance), like Crashtastic or Star Command to name some really good recent ones, would be 100x more effective than putting another stupid F2PFPS that most likely will fail or be just barely manageable within' a year of release. It just doesn't make sense to me whatsoever! I'm not very critical of most games. When I look at and play a game, I see the effort that was put into it by the people who built it. The hours, days, weeks, and even years of work put into it. But you get something like this where it just doesn't make sense to even come out with in the first place, why even start? Or if they knew that it wasn't going to be the 'WoW of online FPS's', why not kill it early and devote the funds to...hell, keeping the SWG servers up for another year or two? I just don't get it...I mean, am I the only one?

=-Rigs-=

'Now, we gave you a promise and we are bound by that promise and damn you for asking for it! And damn me for agreeing to it! And damn all of us to Hell because that is exactly where we're going!'

LOC wrote on Aug 1, 2012, 05:58:You do know this game has been in development for like, a long time right? Before SOE snagged it up 2 or 3 months ago, it was known as Hedone Online and was in closed beta (which I was in btw) for quite awhile. Also, depending on who you believe and what you want to believe, it was also Parabellum previously also.

Ughm might be the same models and whatnot, but not the same games.. I played both of those in beta and its not them. Parabellum was a lot better game IMO too, just was no point to it.

Its common to share engines and models etc and build off that... I believe APB was originally the Scarface landscape, sure seemed like it to me in early beta, could see the coastline etc... But assumers can be wrong so dont quote me

Well Hedone and Bullet Run are the same game, that much is true. If you played Hedone you certainly know that

LOC wrote on Aug 1, 2012, 05:58:You do know this game has been in development for like, a long time right? Before SOE snagged it up 2 or 3 months ago, it was known as Hedone Online and was in closed beta (which I was in btw) for quite awhile. Also, depending on who you believe and what you want to believe, it was also Parabellum previously also.

Ughm might be the same models and whatnot, but not the same games.. I played both of those in beta and its not them. Parabellum was a lot better game IMO too, just was no point to it.

Its common to share engines and models etc and build off that... I believe APB was originally the Scarface landscape, sure seemed like it to me in early beta, could see the coastline etc... But assumers can be wrong so dont quote me

You do know this game has been in development for like, a long time right? Before SOE snagged it up 2 or 3 months ago, it was known as Hedone Online and was in closed beta (which I was in btw) for quite awhile. Also, depending on who you believe and what you want to believe, it was also Parabellum previously also.

Okay game finally worked, its a 2002 FPS shooter, quickly compiled for a cash grab, adding in some unlocks and MMORPG leveling... After playing 2 rounds, it was obvious I was the best skilled player in the game, only being defeated by higher level players with better guns... go near them just die, while you put full clips in and nothing....

In short, its a fish in the barrel shooter, small linear medal of honor type maps, making sure the gmae is always run in gun, withbarely little strategy.. a few points to capture to "win" the round..

Now, I am not another one of those guys who says, shooter, dont that, next.. But I am a hater when a shooter comes out that is the same old SAD game, with a cash cow built in to make it playable...

Failed to start any games from my end... Was more excited downloading then I was creating my character, this is like kindergarten class at game design? I mean nothing really there that I can see, and they want to charge a 6 month subscription??

Keith wrote on Jul 31, 2012, 15:14:After 30 minutes or so of play, I agree that it feels like a Counter-Strike clone. If you like CS, I would think you will like this. Clearly needs some tweaks (the menus are a bit slow, the interface isn't very intuitive), but overall seemed fun for a free-to-play FPS.

Agree. This would have been more fun in 2004. Very tired feeling, and dated graphics. Uninstalled after 30 minutes.

After 30 minutes or so of play, I agree that it feels like a Counter-Strike clone. If you like CS, I would think you will like this. Clearly needs some tweaks (the menus are a bit slow, the interface isn't very intuitive), but overall seemed fun for a free-to-play FPS.

Of course it would highly depend on the artists creating the in game assets. I think we can all agree even an old ass engine like the Quake 1 engine, with the right tweaks and assets can look amazing even by todays standards (ie: Nexiuz the original, Xonotic etc). That being said, you'd have to be pretty color blind or even worse to think Bullet Run looks like a Quake 2 engine game

Downloading the client now. Will have to see how it plays. Gave me a lackluster impression already because everything I tried to find out about on the web site was a bad link (e.g. info on the Platinum membership- what benefits do you get & does it work with other Station games, etc?).